Patents by Inventor Kimberly A. Gearns

Kimberly A. Gearns has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6168218
    Abstract: A method of providing an implement for removing debris from a transport track of an article processing machine. The method includes providing a strip of non-conductive material, such as polycarbonate resin sheet material. The strip has a generally rectangular configuration and includes a plurality of corners. The strip is adapted to define a hook-shaped structure at each one of the corners, and the hook-shaped structure includes a hook-point that coincides with the corner of the strip at which the hook-shaped structure is located. The strip is modified to define a concavity proximate each of the corners, the hook-point being defined by an exterior edge of the strip and an interior edge of the strip defining the concavity. The hook-point as provided on the strip is suitable for engaging the debris and urging it along the transport track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Unisys Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas L. Raupp, J. Michael Spall, Kimberly A. Gearns
  • Patent number: 5758916
    Abstract: Disclosed is a probe implement for removing jam debris, including documents, and foreign objects from prescribed document transport track segments of a document processing machine; this implement being constructed of planar, flat elongate thin dielectric material, and being so formed, shaped and constructed as to allow a user to remotely contact and engage such documents, debris or foreign objects and to facilitate removal thereof from the track without disturbing, opening or demounting this track; this implement being further designed, constructed and adapted to be sufficiently flexible in such use to be maneuvered along track segments, to be sized to readily fit into the minimum contemplated track size, while being sufficiently stiff to engage/dislodge such debris.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Unisys Corp
    Inventors: Thomas L. Raupp, J. Michael Spall, Kimberly A. Gearns
  • Patent number: 5573291
    Abstract: Disclosed is a probe implement for removing jam debris, including documents, and foreign objects from prescribed document transport track segments of a document processing machine; this implement being constructed of planar, flat, elongate thin dielectric material, and being so formed, shaped and constructed as to allow a user to remotely contact and engage such documents, debris or foreign objects and to facilitate removal thereof from the track without disturbing, opening or demounting this track; this implement being further designed, constructed and adapted to be sufficiently flexible in such use to be maneuvered along track segments, to be sized to readily fit into the minimum contemplated track size, while being sufficiently stiff to engage/dislodge such debris.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignee: Unisys Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas L. Raupp, J. Michael Spall, Kimberly A. Gearns